Ex-Lords of the Manor chef Toby Hill has taken over the Moon and Sixpence in Hanwell near Banbury, Oxfordshire, with plans to open several more food-led pubs and an eponymous fine-dining restaurant in Oxford.
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Toby Hill: plans to
open more pubs
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The new business is a family-run affair, with Hill working in partnership with his brother Rupert. Both brothers and their father have provided financial backing.
"I'm back on the stove full time for the first time in about three years and I'm loving it," said Hill. "I'm enjoying cooking more than ever."
Hill has acquired the lease from Traditional Freehouses and plans a total refurbishment of the property in August following completion of the deal. Depending on the success of the operation, two or three more destination pubs are planned in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
Hill has also already acquired a site in Oxford for his 45-seat fine-dining restaurant, which he plans to open by the end of the year. He said he wouldn't rule out aiming for more Michelin stars.
Menus have already changed from traditional pub grub to all fresh produce at the 65-seat Moon and Sixpence, with Hill now using the same suppliers as the Lords of the Manor.
"We don't want to alienate our current customer base, so we're changing things slowly," said Hill.
Starters range from £4 to £8 and mains from £9 to £20.
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 8 July 2004